When our son Anton was five years old, our little family took a trip to the south of France. As we checked into our hotel in Aix, Anton looked longingly at the group of children frolicking in the pool. "Quick Mommy," he pleaded. "Teach me French!"

Four years later, Anton has started studying the language in school and has a new question: "Why do I have to learn French, Mom?"

Where has the magic gone?

Being a native Montrealer and devout Francophile, it is a fond wish that my husband Pat, who is of Italian descent and our children (Anton now has a two-year-old sister, Siena) love French culture, too. So this March Break the family is embarking on a trip to Quebec City -- as planned by Anton. His mission: to research an itinerary that features a combination of seasonal activities, traditional cuisine and cultural experiences a family could only have in Quebec.

Anton cross-referenced reviews from sites such as Trip Advisor with ideas from bonjourquebec.com and its real time, online chat feature -- which Anton thought quite cool. To fine-tune our travel agenda, Anton also spoke with Micheline Lachance from Tourisme Quebec.

Anton I'm dying to see the Ice Hotel. It seems impossible. What's it like?

Micheline The tour shows you what each category of room is like and how you can sleep comfortably on an ice bed and drink in ice glasses. Each room is adorned with ice sculptures that represent different scenes of nature.

Anton I read Quebec produces about 80% of the world's maple syrup. Is March a good time to visit a sugar shack?

Micheline March is "sugaring off" season and a great time to visit a cabane a sucre. You'll be able to see the boiling room where the sap is transformed into maple syrup, take a horse-drawn sleigh ride through the woods where the maple trees grow and enjoy maple taffy on snow. Be sure to try "Grand-peres a l'erable," a cross between donuts and dumplings covered in hot maple syrup sauce if you get the chance.

Anton I'd like to do a day trip to Trois Rivieres to visit the Old Prison because the tours are given by real, live ex-inmates. If we stay the night, will we have to eat prison food?

Micheline Yes -- porridge and toast: a breakfast fit for a prisoner! But -- caution -- because of the subject matter, the jail tour is not recommended for kids under 12.

Anton Darn. Is there any other cool activity you could recommend that would make Quebec's history interesting to a kid?

Micheline If you like battles, the Musee du Fort has a 30-minute sound and light show that brings the Battle of the Plains of Abraham to life on a 400 square foot diorama of Quebec City.

Anton I often get in trouble at school for not eating my lunch. Although I hate sandwiches, I love French food -- especially duck confit and escargot. What local dishes should I try?

Micheline Quebec has its own homegrown specialties that do not come from France. Keep an eye out for typical Quebecois fare like: "ragout de pattes" (Pig knuckles stew) and tourtiere (meat pie) and for dessert a "tarte au sucre" (sugar pie).

Anton Merci for answering my questions. Our trip is shaping up.

And so it was.

Participating in the planning process has given Anton a feeling of ownership over our holiday, and because he has selected the activities, he's excited, even if the goal is educational.

While our trip isn't until March, all this planning has prompted Anton's latest question: "When am I going to learn Italian, Dad?"

ANTON'S ITINERARY

1. Ice hotel "I was expecting a big block of ice, but even in pictures, this place looks more like a sculpture -with beautiful carved walls and incredible lights and effects." hotelquebec.com/ice-hotel.html

2. Cabane a sucre "I put maple syrup -the real kind -on everything, so I'm curious to see where it comes from and how it's made." cabaneasucre.org

3. Valcartier vacation village "I'll be trying every single slide but am looking forward to ice karting (winterized go-carts on an ice track) because it will help me learn to drive." valcartier.com

4. A caleche ride through the historic old town "Especially if it includes blankets and hot chocolate." calecheduvieuxquebec.com

5. A game of shinny "Playing hockey on an outdoor rink with my dad will make Quebec feel like home." (The best spot for this: Porte St-Louis outdoor rink at the intersection of St Louis and d'Auteuil in the heart of the Old Town.)

THE BEST OF QUEBEC CITY

For an insider's perspective on the best of Quebec, we quizzed Jonathan Lansdell, a trip planner at Butterfield & Robinson.

Best hotel pool in Quebec City? The Fairmont Chateau Frontenac. On a cold day it is warm and filled with light.

Hotel with the best view? Also the Frontenac. Perched high above lower town and the St. Lawrence, it offers an incredible view from any floor.

Sweetest spot for a sweet snack? Choco-Musee in the old town for exquisite handmade chocolate and gorgeous window displays.

Unique Quebec activity that would make me feel like a local? Snowshoeing on the Plains of Abraham, with the St. Lawrence and the Citadelle as a backdrop, takes you past locals skating, cross-country skiing and tobogganing. Head out in the evening with lanterns and hot chocolate to really feel like an early settler.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.